I have noticed that bees from some hives... at some times of the year.... fly much faster in and out of the hive than others.
I was visiting Lyon, France last October and I made a trip to one of the city parks that has honeybee hives set up. The foragers were coming out of the hive like bullets. I've never seen anything like it before. One them grazed the side of my head as I approached to take a look at them. Needless to say, I quickly backed off. I don't know the race of the bees because the beekeeper was not around that day (and my French is not very good so it probably wouldn't have helped if he had been there :)
By comparison, my bees this spring come out slowly, buzz around for awhile, and then saunter off in a zig-zag course like they don't really care whether they get there anytime soon. Maybe bees in the Fall are more focused because winter is coming? Maybe a good nectar source is signaled more strongly and they have a better idea of where they are going. Anyone have any idea what makes them fly fast or slow?
Topic: French bullets (Read 1401 times)